M.D. Jennings makes roster of Super Bowl Champion Packers

By VIC KETCHMANwww.packers.comM.D. Jennings is among the surprise names on the Packers’ 53-man roster. Jennings is one of three undrafted rookies on the 53-man roster of the reigning Super Bowl champions. That’s an uncommon number of rags-to-riches stories on a roster as deep as the Packers’.

Jennings, who postponed his teaching/coaching career to pursue the NFL, said he first called his mother with the news.“My mom says she loves teachers just as much as football players. She said she’s glad I didn’t call it quits after not being drafted,” Jennings said.M.D. is the son of Wesley and Nanette Jennings of Calhoun City.Does your mother know football players make a lot more money than teachers, Jennings was asked?“Yeah, she knows,” he said, laughing.Jennings seems to be in perpetual smile. He has a naturally sheepish personality, but there was nothing sheepish about the way he played in training camp and in the preseason. At a position where the competition was intense, Jennings just kept making plays. By training camp’s end, it was clear to see he was in the hunt for a roster spot.“It’s a blessing, being able to live my dream. A lot of people dream about this but it never comes true,” Jennings said.Now what?“Become the best player I can be and stay in this business as long as I can,” he said.“I had an interception in the Cleveland game and a couple of open-field tackles against Arizona and Kansas City,” Jennings said of what might’ve turned the tables in his favor.In a normal year, players would’ve been signed to free-agent contracts immediately after not having been drafted but, because of the lockout, they had to wait three months before signing a contract.“It was nerve-racking. I was offered a job at my old high school to coach and teach. I leaned toward it for a little while. I decided to pursue my dream,” Jennings said.